Overview

This is one of our series of "Dave's legacy walks", in memory of David Wicks-Stone. See here for more details about Dave, and his other walks.

This is a 15.8 kilometer (9.8 mile) circular walk from Longbridge Deverill, going to Rye Hill Farm, Brimsdown Hill, Kingston Deverill,  Whitecliff Farm, Brixton Deverill, Hill Deverill Manor, and back to Longbridge Deverill. It is an airy walk on the Wiltshire Downs with very good views from the hills, and passes through valleys with pretty villages. Total ascent: 421 m.

Note: The name "Deverill" refers to river Deverill, the old name of the upper part of river Wylye. Opinions differ about the historic meaning of the name. Wiltshire County Council state that it stems from two Celtic words, 'dubro', meaning water and 'ial', meaning fertile or cultivated upland region. A more colourful interpretation is "diving rill" so called because there are points in the river's course where it peters out and flows underground, hence the disappearing rill or stream.

Start point

The George Inn, Longbridge Deverill

Grid Ref: ST 86888 40852

Postcode: near BA12 7ED

What3Words: state.tamed.entitles

Parking

It may be possible to park at the George Inn, with their prior permission. Contact details for the Inn may be found on their website: the-georgeinn.co.uk

Alternatively, there is a limited amount of on street parking in Sand Street opposite.

Directions from Bath

From Bath: Around 40 minutes, 22 miles

Take the A36 to Warminster Bypass. Upon reaching the bypass, at the 1st roundabout take the 3rd exit continuing on the A36. At the 2nd roundabout take the 2nd exit still on the A36. At the 3rd roundabout take the 3rd exit on to the A350 (signed Poole, Blandford). In about 1.7 miles is Longbridge Deverill.

Buses

There are limited weekday-only bus services to Longbridge Deverill. See http://www.travelinesw.com/ for a journey planning tool.

Map

Directions

When embarking on this walk, is important to always be appropriately dressed and equipped for the conditions, and to carry, and know how to use, a suitable map for the walk.

The following leader's notes for this walk are intended to supplement the map of the route, and only give an outline of the main stages of the walk. They do not provide a turn by turn guide, or describe every obstacle that may be encountered. Things may well have changed since Dave planned the route. The numbered paragraphs correspond to the waymarks shown on the accompanying map.

Several sections of this route involve walking on roads. Please follow the rules for pedestrians given in the Highway Code, https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians.html

There are many fine spots on this walk to stop for meals or drinks, from stage 3 onwards, so specific stops have not been indicated.

1. Start outside the George Inn in Longbridge Deverill. Walk a short distance SE along the A350 in the direction of Blandford, then turn R after 100m onto the B3095, signposted The Deverills. Alternatively, if visiting the George, you can reach the B3095 by crossing the footbridge from the car park, and proceeding through the pub garden. The B3095 can be busy, and has no pavement in places, so proceed with care. After some 600m, turn right onto a track enclosed by hedgerows opposite a cul de sac (actually an entrance to Hill Deverill Manor).

2. The muddy track goes over a small hill, the site of the Medieval village of Hill Deverill, passes through two MPGs, then turns W. Around 900m after leaving the road, go straight across a track. Continue for a further 1km to Rye Hill Farm.

3. Continue walking towards the densely wooded Bidcombe Hill, ignoring the track on the R that goes N towards Longleat. The path turns L, crosses the field boundary, then turns R after 100m.

4. The path proceeds generally W along the flank of Bidcombe Hill, following the edge of the wooded slope to the L. Eventually, after around 1.5 km, it climbs, drops slightly to a FG, and joins a N-S track.

5. Turn L through the gate onto the track, and climb through the woods up to Brimsdown Hill, passing through further gates. The track veers R as it leaves the wood at the top of the hill, then a steep, partly wooded valley (Woodcombe Bottom) appears on the L. After passing the valley, bear L, following the ridge as it turns SE, and proceed along the Mid Wilts Way towards Cold Kitchen Hill. A further steep valley appears, Bushcombe Bottom.

6. At a double gateway, go through the right hand gate onto a track marked "Restricted Byway", and continue towards Cold Kitchen Hill, now keeping to the right of the fence. After passing the saddle between Bidcombe Hill and Cold Kitchen Hill, a beacon appears ahead. Pass through a FG before reaching the beacon, then turn R onto a descending track, and follow this until passing through two FGs and coming out on a minor road (Kingston Lane).

7. Turn L, then R after some 200m. Walk down this lane some 300m, cross the river and turn immediately L through the village of Kingston Deverill. Turn L and cross the river again. You may wish to visit the village church of St. Mary the Virgin, which can be found via a footpath to the right, immediately on entering the lane through the village.

8. Continue up the lane leaving the village, turning R after 300m onto a track where the road bends sharply left. After some 150m, turn L onto a footpath, and climb steeply back up to the ridge at Cross Dyke. The line of this path is indistinct after the first couple of hundred metres. Aim generally N towards the ridge. Once a fence descending the ridge comes into view, make for a large, isolated bush, which is beside a gate.

9. On reaching the track descending the ridge line, go through the gate and turn R on the track, descending with lovely views, following the ridgeline down. Stay on the track as it turns steadily left and drops into Boar's Bottom, then continues to Whitecliff Farm.

10. Turn L at the farm and continue NE on a lane with the farm and River Wylye to the right. Continue straight onto a footpath when the lane turns L uphill, reaching a lane at Woodcombe Farm after some 700m. Turn R and follow the lane to its junction with the B3095. Turn R, follow the road till it crosses the river, and turn L onto a cul de sac into the hamlet of Brixton Deverill, and follow the lane as it turns L at the church.

11. At the end of the lane, continue on the footpath bearing slightly R, ignoring the more prominent track to the R. Follow this path as it climbs to the NE, diagonally across two fields, making for the stile visible across the second field. After crossing two stiles, the path levels and descends to Field Barn Farm after some 1.5 km in total.

12. Turn L at the farm, and follow the track to Hill Deverill Manor. Approaching the Manor, the way ahead is marked with a sign reading "Private Property Keep Out". A stile to the right enters a footpath that skirts a field boundary, then turns R, coming out over a stile on the A350 after some 400m. Take great care, this is a very busy main road, with no pavement. Cross the main road and walk down the lane directly opposite. Follow the lane some 250 m as it curves steadily L. On reaching an attractive hamlet, turn R over small bridge, then turn L behind first house through MPG onto a footpath. Follow the footpath some 300 m through two MKGs, emerging in Sand Street. Turn L to return to the George Inn.